Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Monte Carlo:

[socallefty]

It is not that complicated. He is going to just play a tournament or two before every Slam and skip everything else as his body is not in great shape due to age and injuries. The priority is only winning Slams and Djokovic will likely be like this in a couple of years also.

Missing mandatory tournaments will require an injury excuse while others don’t. Playing Barcelona and Rome while skipping Madrid is likely on the cards.

 

[ojo rojo]

Djokovic Nadal fanboys throwing crap at each other about injuries is the lowest form of discussion imaginable. God I hate it. So boring, so childish

 

[nolefam_2024]

It is not that complicated. He is going to just play a tournament or two before every Slam and skip everything else as his body is not in great shape due to age and injuries. The priority is only winning Slams and Djokovic will likely be like this in a couple of years also.

Missing mandatory tournaments will require an injury excuse while others don’t. Playing Barcelona and Rome while skipping Madrid is likely on the cards.

That will always keep him ill prepared and unable to win slams. So I am all for this approach.

 

[Nostradamus]

is this it ? is this the end for the King?

 

[socallefty]

That will always keep him ill prepared and unable to win slams. So I am all for this approach.

Have you been paying attention to the Big 3 preparation before the Slams they won in the past few years? Hardly a full schedule anywhere for any of them partly due to the pandemic. Even last year Rafa won RG after skipping a couple of clay tournaments and he had almost no prep in 2020 also. Djokovic does not do any grass prep before Wimbledon.

 

[MichaelNadal]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1643208931148169216

So epic

2022 took a lot out of him.

It really did. You miss the king, Mikey?

 

[octobrina10]

It is not that complicated. He is going to just play a tournament or two before every Slam and skip everything else as his body is not in great shape due to age and injuries. The priority is only winning Slams and Djokovic will likely be like this in a couple of years also.

Missing mandatory tournaments will require an injury excuse while others don’t. Playing Barcelona and Rome while skipping Madrid is likely on the cards.

Masters 1000 tournaments are not mandatory for players who are 31 years old, have played 600 matches and have been a pro for 12 years.

 

[nolefam_2024]

is this it ? is this the end for the King?

Yes

 

[DSH]

Do you have a gif of a hungry vulture?

 

[DSH]

Yes

The Sacramento Kings are quite alive in the NBA and have qualified for the playoffs after 17 years of absence.

 

[nolefam_2024]

The Sacramento Kings are quite alive in the NBA and have qualified for the playoffs after 17 years of absence.

Nice.

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

We all know that Nadal is just avoiding Djokovic because he knows Djokovic will win against him again. He has to preserve his h2h no?
If he was truly injured he wouldn't be practicing, he'd be at home recovering from his "injury".

 

[Jonesy]

is this it ? is this the end for the King?

As long as clay exists on the face of the earth Nadal will be there facing the finalists and asking who kicked his bottles.

 

[Kralingen]

The Sacramento Kings are quite alive in the NBA and have qualified for the playoffs after 17 years of absence.

Currently facing the Warriors as seedings stand. Who do you have in that series?

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

There's no "guarantees" for anyone Ralphie. Glad I won't have to watch his "early onset dementia" pre-serve routine.

 

[DSH]

Currently facing the Warriors as seedings stand. Who do you have in that series?

I would prefer the Warriors to face the Grizzlies in the first round even though it seems unlikely.
I want them both to move forward but the Lakers with Lebron would be a tough nut to crack for the Kings as well.

 

[The Blond Blur]

This is GOD's wish. They stopped Djokovic from competing in Sunshine doubles so God is allowing Novak to play Monte Carlo without any opponents. Fair is fair.

Rafa clearly states it himself: "I'm still not ready to compete at the highest level....I am not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process"
No mention of injury not healed yet...just not ready to face "highest level" (Djo)...and being "not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees" (likely losing to Djo)

We all know that Nadal is just avoiding Djokovic because he knows Djokovic will win against him again. He has to preserve his h2h no?
If he was truly injured he wouldn't be practicing, he'd be at home recovering from his "injury".

 

[_phantom]

It is not that complicated. He is going to just play a tournament or two before every Slam and skip everything else as his body is not in great shape due to age and injuries. The priority is only winning Slams and Djokovic will likely be like this in a couple of years also.

Missing mandatory tournaments will require an injury excuse while others don’t. Playing Barcelona and Rome while skipping Madrid is likely on the cards.

I think both Nadal and Djokovic are exempt from playing 8 mandatory M1000s because of their age and longevity on the tour. No excuse needed to skip those. They are required to play at least one 500 though, and WTF if they qualify.

 

[joekapa]

 

[mike danny]

So epic


It really did. You miss the king, Mikey?

I do. I miss both him and Fed.

 

[Deleted member 791948]

Its illogical for Nadal go from playing zero tennis for 3 months to then playing Monte Carlo and Barcelona back-to-back.
And Barcelona will always be more important to Nadal than Monte Carlo.
If I was Nadal I'd skip Monte Carlo too.

 

[octobrina10]

We all know that Nadal is just avoiding Djokovic because he knows Djokovic will win against him again. He has to preserve his h2h no?
If he was truly injured he wouldn't be practicing, he'd be at home recovering from his "injury".

We all know that Djoko fanatics are cheating readers by creating imaginary stories about Rafa.

 

[octobrina10]

I think both Nadal and Djokovic are exempt from playing 8 mandatory M1000s because of their age and longevity on the tour. No excuse needed to skip those. They are required to play at least one 500 though, and WTF if they qualify.

Players who ended the previous season in the Top 30, have to play 4 ATP 500 level events during the season, one of which is held after the US Open. There are no exemptions.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I do. I miss both him and Fed.

Same. Slay bestie

 

[Nadal_King]

Its illogical for Nadal go from playing zero tennis for 3 months to then playing Monte Carlo and Barcelona back-to-back.
And Barcelona will always be more important to Nadal than Monte Carlo.
If I was Nadal I'd skip Monte Carlo too.

It’s not about importance but Barcelona seems far logical to play, gives 1 more week to tuneup the game, gets a lighter draw to start after 3 months of action missed and also playing 3 clay events pre rg is much more than one can ask from Rafa at age of 37.

 

[nolefam_2024]

It’s not about importance but Barcelona seems far logical to play, gives 1 more week to tuneup the game, gets a lighter draw to start after 3 months of action missed and also playing 3 clay events pre rg is much more than one can ask from Rafa at age of 37.

Nadal vs Carlito in Barcelona